Float levels suck....

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Bench checking/adjusting the levels would seem to be OK...but the factory says to check the levels with the motor running. I would only check the levels with it running too.

[tkent02]

At least it would tell you if one of them was way off...

or two of them as in my case.

[t3rmin]

You know what would be really cool would be to replace a section of the bowl with something clear or translucent, like on a quart of oil bottle, so you could just glance at 'em and see the level. ;-)

[nert]

I modified a spare bowl i had with a clear Mylar window. I scribed (2) lines through it for the high spec and the low spec. I set them on the bench and just move the "eye" bowl from one carb to the other. Never checked it running on the bike though. As far as checking them running, my thought is, great if you can do it. I just can't imagine on a hot 1100 engine, dropping the inner or outer bowls making a tweak, reassemble and recheck. Or removing the carb bank. I can see where actual running could affect fuel level cause by vibration, heat, angle, fuel use, etc. But i can't bring myself to attempt changes on the bike. I thought i was anal using a fuel bowl with a view. I think its more important that they are equal and within spec. If vibration can change it during idle, it will surely change with various RPM, vibrations, frequency, bumps, hills, and turns.
Having an external adjustment would really be great, like an automotive Holley carburetor. I can adjust my 66 BSA with twim Amal Monobloc carbs by changing shims on the fuel jet inlet under the fuel banjo.

[t3rmin]

I modified a spare bowl i had with a clear Mylar window. I scribed (2) lines through it for the high spec and the low spec. I set them on the bench and just move the "eye" bowl from one carb to the other. Never checked it running on the bike though. As far as checking them running, my thought is, great if you can do it. I just can't imagine on a hot 1100 engine, dropping the inner or outer bowls making a tweak, reassemble and recheck. Or removing the carb bank. I can see where actual running could affect fuel level cause by vibration, heat, angle, fuel use, etc. But i can't bring myself to attempt changes on the bike. I thought i was anal using a fuel bowl with a view. I think its more important that they are equal and within spec. If vibration can change it during idle, it will surely change with various RPM, vibrations, frequency, bumps, hills, and turns.
Having an external adjustment would really be great, like an automotive Holley carburetor. I can adjust my 66 BSA with twim Amal Monobloc carbs by changing shims on the fuel jet inlet under the fuel banjo.

A man after my own heart. Actually I think I probably heard about your "bowl with a view" before...

So how'd you do it exactly? Sounds like a handy "hack".

[nert]

"bowl with view"
should be attached, not sure what i am doing here.
REd line is upper fuel level
black line is lower fuel level
If you can double click and enlarge the photo, you can see the fuel level.

[nert]

"hi tech fuel bench"
note level to the right ensuring accurate readings.
fuel reservoir above rack in inverted Onan bottle.
Please, No Smoking around this bench.

[t3rmin]

Very nice.

From what did you clip the clear material? Is it affixed with epoxy or what?

[nert]

the Mylar (very thin) was from a rotator out of a Code 3 ambulance light bar.
Probably get a piece from a hardware store.
I used clear (2) part liquid epoxy.

[t3rmin]

I wonder if it would work to just cut a vertical slit out of the bowl and fill it with the clear epoxy directly. Like the strip on quarts of oil...

Gotta get me a few extra bowls and mess around. ;-)

[nert]

wow, that sounds like a good idea. would be easy to cut a slit with one of those air cut off tools or a dremel. I love to see an idea developed into simplicity. good luck, let us know.

[kartin]

Sorry, maybe I missed it - how did you find out what the fuel level specification is? I only have the float level setting for mine and that measurement is given on the understanding that the floats will be partially submerged in the fuel so I don't know how to translate that to an actual fuel level as measured by the clear tube method?

Cheers...

[nert]

The factory Suzuki manual i have for the GS1100GLZ describes a specification for fuel level and where to measure from. It probably will vary with bike and carbs so you need to obtain that information from someone who has the correct service manual.
Maybe look in the first thread of this Forum "carb oem spec per factory manual". I believe some one is posting carb specs as they are donated and keeping them in one location.